MORE than 9,500 Galway farmers are to receive ANC payments of over €20 million, Galway West TD and former Minister, Éamon Ó Cuív,  has confirmed this week.

The average payment for farmers in Galway works out at just over €2,100 per head as part of the 85% advance in the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme with the payout under way since last week.

Total monies to be paid to 9,519 Galway farmers in the advance, works out at €20,133,075 with the 15% balance of €3.55 million to be paid in early December, working out on average at €370 per farmer.

Éamon Ó Cuív said this week that the levels of payments being made nationally to farmers in the ANC scheme was at its highest as were the numbers being paid.

“As a party, Fianna Fáil places a priority on partnering with farmers and rural communities. We are continuing to listen to and engage with farming organisations and rural stakeholders.

“We are committed to continuing our support for farming and food production and to ensuring the viability of farming livelihoods,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

ANC payments of €184 million started to roll out to 87,149 farmers across the country since the middle of last [Sept. 18].

In terms of farmer numbers and overall payment amounts, Galway and Mayo top the league with over 21,000 farmers from the two counties in the scheme with total annual payments of over €55 million, split almost evenly between them, in 2023.

Pictured: Éamon Ó Cuív T.D.